But some battery packs are even larger. The Large battery pack in the Rivian R1T and R1S is 135 kWh, and the very large and very powerful GMC Hummer EV truck's battery pack is over 200 kWh. How much driving range do electric car batteries provide?
Like fuel tank sizes, electric car battery pack capacities vary depending on the vehicle. Small EVs like the Chevrolet Bolt EV usually have smaller capacities that range between 60 kWh and 75 kWh. However, there are some exceptions with short-range EVs that have lower capacities ranging between 30 kWh and 40 kWh.
The total battery capacity of an EV is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh or kW-h). This rating tells you how much electricity can be stored in the battery pack. It's a unit of energy just like calories and one kWh is equal to 3600 kilojoules (or 3.6 megajoules). Unlike kW, it is not a unit of power.
Let’s say your real-time mountain-driving efficiency is 450Wh/mi. If you can see that you have 50% battery remaining, and know that you have a 75 kWh battery pack, you can use your current efficiency to estimate how much real-world range you’d have if the terrain continues to be mountainous. 50% of a 75kWh battery remaining = 37.5 kWh energy.
This rating tells you how much electricity can be stored in the battery pack. It's a unit of energy just like calories and one kWh is equal to 3600 kilojoules (or 3.6 megajoules). Unlike kW, it is not a unit of power. Lower-powered EVs require a smaller capacity; for example the Nissan Leaf stores 40kWh and the Hyundai Kona Electric 64kWh.
Most automakers advertise the gross capacity. Like fuel tank sizes, electric car battery pack capacities vary depending on the vehicle. Small EVs like the Chevrolet Bolt EV usually have smaller capacities that range between 60 kWh and 75 kWh.